Free Serenity's Deception (Texas Sorority Sisters Book 1) by Janice Olson Page B

She gave a stern no nonsense gaze to the room at large before turning back to BJ. “Will you be joining us for supper after all, Ms. Spencer?”
    “No. No, thank you. I appreciate the offer, but I must be on my way. Thanks for your kindness.”
    Ms. Blackthorn gave a slight nod of acknowledgement.                                        
    BJ turned to Jenny. “Thank you so much for showing me around, Jenny. I hope to see you the next time I come to Heritage House.”
    Jenny’s little face beamed.
    The sound of Ms. Blackthorn clearing her throat wiped the smile from the child’s face. BJ wished there was something she could do to bring the sunny disposition back, but knew there was nothing, at least not at the moment.
    The impression Jenny left on BJ lasted far longer than she realized it would. After leaving the home, the continued vision of the cherub face made BJ determine to find a home that would adopt both girls. There was something about the child—the spunk, the sparkle, the deep, pretty dimples, even the way she couldn’t pronounce some of her letters—endearing.
    With the image came as an unpleasant reminder she’d made the decision to remain childless. To stay single and without children hadn’t come without cost. She’d buried her longings so they wouldn’t rise up to haunt her, but apparently not deep enough.
    Until she learned more about her parentage, having a child wasn’t in the realm of possibility. The devastation of her choice was almost unbearable at times, yet not enough to hunt for the heartless woman that could so easily leave the fate of a newborn to a cold, unfeeling orphanage. That woman, BJ would much rather do without.
          BJ angled her way back onto Main Street to get a better look at the town and take her mind off of the unpleasant decisions ahead. She passed the town square with the bronze likeness of Seth Loveless on Lightning.
    When she came upon Sadie’s Diner, the place looked inviting. Even though BJ’s backbone felt like it sat next to her belly button, she wasn’t about to stop. She’d had enough for one day. Jason, Robby Greene, Ms. Blackthorn, Heritage House, all of it had about done her in. The city of Brenham held far greater appeal. Bigger town, more choices, and no curious stares.
    Before heading out of town, she took another detour, ending on High Street this time. She drove toward First Church. The sight of the white clapboard and hill country stone building with its impressive steeple filled her with warmth and a little hope. First church had always been one of her favorites—beautiful, nostalgic, and where she worshipped when she lived here before. Regardless how many historic churches she came across in her travels, this one stood far out above the rest. Even more so this evening.
    The sun, low in the sky, hid behind tall thunderheads. Sunrays shot upward through holes in the clouds, splaying out, illuminating the church in a shower of bright beams. Unlike the town and Heritage, the austere picture spoke to her of love but most of all, hope.
    BJ couldn’t resist. She pulled to the side of the road. Not often did all the elements come together for such a spectacular display as showcased this evening. Within minutes, her Nikon focused, and her finger depressed the shutter button, the dealings of the afternoon forgotten.
     The church building, though in a country setting, wasn’t the typical neglected small-town church. Sam Loveless had paid a fortune to have the edifice built. He even set aside funds to ensure its preservation for centuries. Grand on a small scale, the church had a beauty that would forever withstand the test of time, commanding reverence and awe by its mere presence.
    BJ could almost hear the deep, full tones resonating through the town and into the countryside. As a child, the bell would start her Sunday morning. Tonight it stood as a reminder of all that had gone before. Her camera captured the